Description
A durable, customizable cold pasta salad designed for school lunchboxes that stays fresh and flavorful for hours, making it the perfect meal-prep solution for busy parents.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Penne or Rotini
- ½ cup (120ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ cup (60ml) Red Wine Vinegar
- 8 ounces (225g) Fresh Mozzarella Balls (Bocconcini)
- 2 teaspoons Dried Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (or to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, diced
- ½ cup Kalamata Olives, sliced
- ¼ cup Fresh Basil, chopped
- Optional: 1 can Chickpeas, drained
- Optional: 2 cups Cooked Chicken, diced
- Optional: 2 ounces Cured Meats (Salami/Pepperoni), diced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- Halve cherry tomatoes, dice red bell pepper, slice olives, and cut mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped veggies, and cheese.
- Pour dressing over the mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything.
- If using optional add-ins like chickpeas, chicken, or cured meats, add them now and toss again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) to allow flavors to meld.
- Stir well before packing into lunchboxes with an ice pack.
Notes
Rinsing the pasta under cold water is crucial to prevent sogginess. Season the dressing aggressively as cold food tastes blander. Use fresh mozzarella for best texture. Always pack with an ice pack for food safety. This salad improves in flavor after sitting overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: pasta salad, school lunch, meal prep, cold pasta, lunchbox ideas, kid-friendly, Italian salad, make ahead